public works projects

Bringing water from the James River via a pipeline could help spur development in Zion Crossroads, a commercialized area straddling the border between largely rural Louisa and Fluvanna Counties.

Some localities in the Peninsula received federal stimulus money to help prevent homelessness for some area residents who are struggling, according to the Daily Press.

The funds will be used for rental assistance, utility and security deposit payments and credit repair.

This is good news for all residents in these areas because preventing homelessness is cheaper than correcting it. Also, preventing homelessness can protect property values.

"As part of the federal stimulus package, nearly $1.4 million has come to the Peninsula to help stem the tide of growing homelessness associated with the lingering economic recession.

Government and nonprofit agencies in Hampton, Newport News, York, Poquoson, James City County and Williamsburg recently began disbursing funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing program.

The six localities evenly split about $727,000. A secondary pot of money totaling more than $659,000 was allotted specifically for Newport News, said Joy Cipriano, director of property and resource development for the Hampton/Newport News Community Services Board, the agency administering the grant funds.

The money is specifically earmarked for such things as rental assistance, utility and security deposit payments, and credit repair. It is not targeted for the chronically homeless, Cipriano said.

'The money is for helping people that were otherwise stable and making it. But, due to loss of a job or reduction of income, can't meet rent payments,' Cipriano said. 'It's cheaper to prevent homelessness than correct it once it happens.'

Cipriano said the federal government has instituted strict guidelines about how the money can be used and is requiring stringent reporting to make sure the funds are spent appropriately."

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Lynchburg City Council will do something new this year. They will start budget talks much earlier than normal and before the city manager makes his recommendations, according to the Lynchburg News & Advance.

The Council members will give input to the city manager on which various topics that will help him make informed decisions about the city's tight budget.

Hopefully this new approach will benefit Lynchburg homeowners.

"In a highly unusual move, Lynchburg City Council will engage in preliminary budget talks next month before any recommendations are made by the city manager.

Traditionally, such deliberations are held in the spring and start only after City Manager Kimball Payne unveils his budget proposal in early March. Council then responds to and revises that plan over the course of several weeks.

This year’s accelerated deliberation schedule was adopted after Payne approached officials in December seeking early guidance on topics ranging from spending cuts to tax hikes.

Council doesn’t typically play such a direct role in shaping the city manager’s budget recommendations. In explaining his request, Payne referenced the austere revenue climate, which he has described as the most challenging of his career.

'We’ve never faced anything like this before,' he said in an interview. 'We thought last year was different, but it’s only getting tougher.

'This is going to be a unique and different year. I think doing things in a unique and different way will inform the process and give me a little better sense of Council’s interests as I put the proposal together.'

Council has scheduled a special all-day budget retreat for Feb. 6.

Payne has asked members at that time to consider six specific questions:
• What are your priorities regarding services provided to citizens?
• As cuts are considered, is there anything that is untouchable?
• Which services, programs or activities could be stopped?
• Are there any new initiatives you would like to consider?
• What are your thoughts on actions to increase revenues (via taxes, fees or policy changes)?
• What are your capital improvement priorities?

This is the latest in a series of unprecedented steps taken by the city manager to gather advice as he ponders a slew of unappetizing budget choices."

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James City County's budget problems may mean that some county services and programs are cut, according to the Daily Press.

Reducting operation costs for the library, parks and swimming pools are being examined as the county faces major budget issues.

Homeowners should be aware of these problems because a typical solution is to raise property taxes, but also because reduction in community services can also hurt property values. It is a difficult situation that many Virginia localities are facing. Hopefully County officials and residents can work together to find solutions that James City County residents are comfortable with.

"How bad is James City County's budget outlook for the next few years?

Residents might have to deal with less county money for schools and libraries. Reductions in, or even elimination of, long relied-upon services like leaf collection, parks and swimming pools might also have to be stomached.

It's that or face tax and fee hikes, says County Administrator Sandy Wanner. In the past two fiscal years, James City has significantly reduced operating costs and outlays to agencies it supports. Nearly 36 positions have been eliminated by attrition and county operating costs have been reduced by about $4.4 million.

Still, he insists that more cuts are necessary.

On Tuesday, Wanner laid out 23 possible areas to further cut county spending. Topping the list was a reduced contribution to the school system James City shares with Williamsburg. Funding to outside agencies, already down a total of $640,000 over the past two years, could be slashed again, he said. Other proposals include cutting library funding and less spending on capital projects. Remaining suggested cuts are to county services, including reduced park hours and limiting county swimming pool hours or not opening them at all. Convenience center hours could also be cut, along with reductions to animal control and community center operations."

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Suffolk city officials are anticipating a budget surplus of $3 to $5 million dollars, and have been brainstorming ways to spend the money according to The Virginian Pilot.

Currently, the most popular idea is to use the extra money to fund bulk trash pick-up instead of charging residents for the service. This could be great news for homeowners who not only want to receive the service for free, but also live in neighborhoods where trash is abandoned because other residents do not want to pay for the service.

"The city anticipates a budget surplus of $3 million to $5 million, according to an audit that is nearing completion.

The projected surplus is an estimate of the city's financial standing at the close of the last fiscal year, which ended June 30, said Finance Director Dale Walker. He cautioned that 'this next fiscal year may be a whole 'nother story.'

Council members responded Wednesday with a flurry of ideas on how to spend the money. The exact amount of cash won't be known for two or three weeks.

Several liked the idea of using it to fund bulk trash collections. The city recently began charging residents for the service to balance the budget, prompting complaints about the cost, lingering debris piles alongside roads and reports of illegal dumping.

'To have a surplus in this economy is really an amazing thing,' Mayor Linda Johnson said.

Johnson said there are 'a number of things' the council might address with the money, but she singled out bulk trash pick up service.

She acknowledged that she had been a consistent supporter of the city's new fee schedule but said in recent days she has driven around town "looking at piles of trash" and talking to residents.

'We're going to have to do something,' she said of the trash issue."

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